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Prosecutors are asking the court to delay the start of the trial of four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the killing of George Floyd.

In a document filed Thursday, prosecutors are asking that the trial start on June 7, about three months later than its originally scheduled date, saying the delay is in the best interest of public health. Their trial is currently scheduled for March 8.

Prosecutors say more people will have received COVID-19 vaccines by then. A member of President-elect Joe Biden's coronavirus advisory board filed an affidavit with the court supporting the move.

Earlier this month, a defense attorney for Tou Thao, one of the former officers charged in Floyd’s killing, asked the judge in the case to push the trial to July because he said prosecutors failed to turn over important evidence by the deadline in mid-August. 

Officer charged in Floyd’s killing asks to push trial to July

Floyd trial will stay in Minneapolis and can be livestreamed

Due to COVID-19 restrictions on public and media access, Judge Peter Cahill, who is presiding over the case, announced in November that the trial would stay in Minneapolis, and he would allow video and audio streaming of the procedures.

Floyd died on May 25 in south Minneapolis after then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd’s killing spurred protests, rioting and civil unrest in the Twin Cities.  

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Three other former officers, Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng are charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter.

Judge’s ruling paves the way for Floyd case to proceed

The killing of George Floyd

Crime, Law and Justice

The murder of George Floyd

Brandt Williams

Author

In a document filed Thursday, prosecutors are asking that the trial start on June 7, about three months later than its originally scheduled date, saying the delay is in the best interest of public health.

A man walking the street surrounded by people yelling

Stephen Maturen | Getty Images

Four former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd case.

Prosecutors ask for delay in Floyd trial, citing COVID-19 concerns

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